Published Friday, 30 January, 2009 at 08:00 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Bligh Government business growth and job creation workshop oversubscribed in Townsville
Around 180 business contractors and companies from the Townsville region will receive information about how to tender for billions of dollars in infrastructure projects as part of the Bligh Government’s efforts to ease the local impact of the Global Financial Crisis.
Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland and Member for Thuringowa Craig Wallace will officially open the workshop at the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE this morning.
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said the workshop had been organised by her department and the Industry Capability Network Queensland to help business maximise their opportunities in the current economic downturn.
“We are expecting around 180 representatives from the construction, manufacturing, engineering, retail and service sectors to attend,” Ms Boyle said.
“There is a great deal of infrastructure projects going ahead in North Queensland and the State Government wants to help business owner/operators to take advantage of some of the lucrative contracts on offer.
“These projects include, the expansion to the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre expansion, the Abbot Point X110 expansion and the Cairns Hospital upgrade.
“The reality is that many local Townsville companies are geared towards servicing one or two specific industries, making them vulnerable during an economic downturn.
“We are encouraging them to maybe look to other private and public sector projects, diversify their activities and hopefully protect jobs.
“During these difficult times it is important we do everything possible to help regional Queensland businesses,” Ms Boyle said.
Minister Wallace said the State Government’s Rapid Response Team in Townsville has been working hard to assist the region to retain its skilled workforce.
“This workshop will feature a segment on the importance of retaining and training staff in difficult times,” Mr Wallace said.
“I will be encouraging businesses at the workshop to work with the State Government to keep the local economy and employment strong.
“We must work together to steer the region through the global economic crisis, and that is why we are holding this forum to help local businesses get involved in major capital works projects.”
Minister Wallace said the workshop would also provide in-depth information on local industry policy, Queensland Government projects and a range of current and proposed infrastructure activities.
“The half-day forum will feature guest speakers from the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, the Townsville City Council, the Department of Main Roads, the Port of Townsville, Manufacturing Skills Queensland and the Industry Capability Network,” he said.
“There will also be an opportunity for participants to network and perhaps identify additional business opportunities.
“The Bligh Government is committed to pressing ahead with a $17 billion capital works plan for 2009.
“This plan is essential in order for regional Queensland to overcome the affects of the global economic crisis.”
The forum will be held from 9am-12noon at the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE, Pimlico Campus, cnr Hugh Street and Fulham Road, Pimlico.
Media contact: Minister Boyle’s office - 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
Minister Wallace’s office – 3896 6389
Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland and Member for Thuringowa Craig Wallace will officially open the workshop at the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE this morning.
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said the workshop had been organised by her department and the Industry Capability Network Queensland to help business maximise their opportunities in the current economic downturn.
“We are expecting around 180 representatives from the construction, manufacturing, engineering, retail and service sectors to attend,” Ms Boyle said.
“There is a great deal of infrastructure projects going ahead in North Queensland and the State Government wants to help business owner/operators to take advantage of some of the lucrative contracts on offer.
“These projects include, the expansion to the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre expansion, the Abbot Point X110 expansion and the Cairns Hospital upgrade.
“The reality is that many local Townsville companies are geared towards servicing one or two specific industries, making them vulnerable during an economic downturn.
“We are encouraging them to maybe look to other private and public sector projects, diversify their activities and hopefully protect jobs.
“During these difficult times it is important we do everything possible to help regional Queensland businesses,” Ms Boyle said.
Minister Wallace said the State Government’s Rapid Response Team in Townsville has been working hard to assist the region to retain its skilled workforce.
“This workshop will feature a segment on the importance of retaining and training staff in difficult times,” Mr Wallace said.
“I will be encouraging businesses at the workshop to work with the State Government to keep the local economy and employment strong.
“We must work together to steer the region through the global economic crisis, and that is why we are holding this forum to help local businesses get involved in major capital works projects.”
Minister Wallace said the workshop would also provide in-depth information on local industry policy, Queensland Government projects and a range of current and proposed infrastructure activities.
“The half-day forum will feature guest speakers from the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, the Townsville City Council, the Department of Main Roads, the Port of Townsville, Manufacturing Skills Queensland and the Industry Capability Network,” he said.
“There will also be an opportunity for participants to network and perhaps identify additional business opportunities.
“The Bligh Government is committed to pressing ahead with a $17 billion capital works plan for 2009.
“This plan is essential in order for regional Queensland to overcome the affects of the global economic crisis.”
The forum will be held from 9am-12noon at the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE, Pimlico Campus, cnr Hugh Street and Fulham Road, Pimlico.
Media contact: Minister Boyle’s office - 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
Minister Wallace’s office – 3896 6389